I went for a ride in a 50k mile 2005 987 and when it was first started there was a burst of white smoke from the exhaust, though it went away quickly. I thought the water-cooled cars didn't have this feature? Is this normal, or a sign of trouble? Not that familiar with the post-aircooled cars...

 

this is normal for all boxter designed engines (horizontaly opposed) since the pistons and heads are "laying donw" the oil does have a chance to seep into and open valve etc. and they all get the buff of smoke on start up. this usuallly only occurs on engines that have been sitting a while, once the engine is warm and you run to the store then restart usually does not produce the smoke.

 

+1, same here

 

The only time I got a smoke release when I started my 986, 986s or 996 is when the car had/has been parked on an incline with the tail down.

 

Perhaps that is the only time you notice it, most of the time the smoke is such a small amount that you would only see it briefly if you were standing in the back of the car when it is started.

 

Not so much. I park in my garage and don't miss anything. No smoke on a regular basis.

 

wife's 05 Boxster does this when it has sitting for a while on a battery maintainer; goes away when warm, though.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I didn't buy that Boxster, but I did pick one up today.

 

Congratulations. pictures are in order

 

some times hot some times cold some time alot some times not.....bought mine new in 09 2.9

 

I'll get some up this weekend, but it's your typical black/black Boxster S. I'll pose it next to my black/black Z4 M Coupe

 

Quick shot from my iPad, I'll try for better when it stops raining: